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Middle East

Israeli leaders back death penalty for 'terrorists'

The right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu has received backing for a controversial bill targeting convicted "terrorists." The proposal to change how the death penalty can be applied has divided lawmakers in Israel's parliament.

Political leaders of Israel's ruling coalition on Sunday evening backed a legislative proposal to allow capital punishment for convicted terrorists.

In Israel, the death penalty can only be applied in instances of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and treason, according to domestic law. The latest proposal, drafted by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party, would allow military courts to apply the death penalty in cases of convicted terrorists.

"The legislation should be very simple and very clear – a terrorist who comes to kill innocent civilians will be sentenced to death. No more convenient prison conditions, no more pictures of cheers for freed murderers, no more academic degrees," Lieberman said, according to Israeli news outlet Arutz Sheva.

While the draft bill does not single out Palestinian militants, it is in line with Lieberman's pledges to end the release of prisoners who have committed attacks against Israelis

Divisive proposal

The proposal marks a major victory for Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, which made it a priority during talks to join the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2016. After receiving support from the political leaders of Israel's ruling coalition, the draft bill will be submitted to the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

However, some lawmakers have expressed opposition to the bill, with Nachman Shai of the center-left Zionist Union saying it represents a political mishap by Netanyahu as he faces dwindling support over corruption allegations, reported Arutz Sheva.

"No matter how you look at it, the death penalty is barbaric and stupid and has been abolished in all civilized countries except for certain states in the United States," Avnery said. According to Amnesty International, capital punishment has been abolished in just 104 out 198 countries worldwide.

In order to come into law, the bill must pass four readings in the Knesset. However, observers have noted that it could also be struck down by the Supreme Court of Israel after becoming law.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Mount of Olives today

The old City Wall and the gold-domed Muslim shrine, the Dome of the Rock, are visible in the background from the mountain ridge which lies to the east of the Old City. The Old Jewish Cemetery, situated on the western and southern slopes of the ridge, are in an area once named for its many olive groves. It is the oldest continually used Jewish cemetery in the world.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Mount of Olives then

If it weren't for the ancient Ottoman city wall and the shrine in the background, viewers might not realize this is the same site. The picture was taken on June 7th, 1967, when the peak was this brigade's command post at the height of the Six-Day War, or Arab-Israeli War.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Al-Aqsa mosque today

Al-Aqsa, with its silver-colored dome and vast hall, is located on Temple Mount. Muslims call the mosque the "Noble Sanctuary," but it is also the most sacred site in Judaism, a place where two biblical temples were believed to have stood. As well, it is the third holiest site in Sunni Islam, after Mecca and Medina. There have long been tensions over control of the entire Temple Mount area.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Al-Aqsa mosque then

The name Al-Aqsa translates to "the farthest mosque." It is also Jerusalem's biggest mosque. Israel has strict control over the area after conquering all of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War, and regaining access to its religious sites. Leaders at the time agreed that the Temple Mount would be administered by an Islamic religious trust known as the Waqf.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Damascus Gate today

The historic Gate, named in English for the fact that the road from there heads north to Damascus, is a busy main entrance to Palestinian East Jerusalem, and to a bustling Arab bazaar. Over the past two years, it has frequently been the site of security incidents and Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Damascus Gate then

The gate itself - what we see today was built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537 - looks much the same in this July 1967 picture. Seven Gates allow entrance to the Old City and its separate quarters.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Old City today

Jerusalem's vibrant Old City, a UNESCO world Heritage Site since 1981, is home to sites important to many different religions: the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque for Muslims, Temple Mount and the Western Wall for Jews, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians. Busy and colorful, it is a great place for shopping and food, and a top attraction for visitors.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Old City then

This picture was taken in July 1967, but 50 years later, some things in the Old City haven't changed at all. Boys like the one in the photo balancing a tray of sesame pastries - called bagels - still roam the streets of the Old City today, hawking the sweet breads sprinkled with sesame seeds for about a euro ($1.12) apiece.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Western Wall today

This section of ancient limestone wall in Jerusalem's Old City is the western support wall of the Temple Mount. It is the most religious site for Jewish people, who come here to pray and perhaps to place a note in a crack in the wall. There is a separate section for men and for women, but it is free and open to everyone all year round - after the obligatory security check.

Jerusalem in 1967 and 2017

Western Wall then

The Western Wall is also known as the 'Wailing' Wall, a term considered derogatory and not used by Jews. The above photo of people flocking to the Wall to pray was taken on September 1, 1967, just weeks after Israel regained control of the site following the Six-Day-War. It had been expelled from the Old City 19 years earlier during Jordan's occupation.